Projectile



.l. A. WALSH. PROJECTILE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. I918. RENEWED MAR. 5. l9l9- 1,302,996. I

Patented May 6, 1919..

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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J. A. WALSH.

PROJEGTILE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21. IQIBT RENEWED MAR. 5, [919.

Patented May 6, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- kiwi/v70 wAsnmcr-m, o c.

J. A. WALSH.

PROJECULE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 21. 1918. RENEWED MAR. 5. m9.

Patented May 6, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- F16. 2".

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T lemann srnrns rnrnnrorrrca.

labsnrr: WALSH, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

To an whom it concern B'e' it known thatI, JOSEPH A. WALSH,

I a. citizen f fthe United States, residing at Philadelphia, in :the 'State of Pennsylk vania', have invented a certain new and usefulImprovementin Projectiles, whereof the following is a: specification, reference being had toithe accompanying drawings.

- My. invention relates to mechanically roperativelzmeans for causing the explosion of a projectile at apredetermined time, prior to its encountering any obstacle, but includes means-for insuring its explosion, by percussion up'on encountering any obstacle prior (to;suchpredetermined time.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes; adjustablyf variable, mechanically operative, time fuse mechanism, including a rotaryscrew shaft, extending axially with respect; to the projectile, but mounted in a separable fuse casing at the forward end ofthe-projectile. andarranged to be rotated by a pneumatic vane at the forward end of the projectile, carried by a countershaft confnectedvvith said screw shaft by suitable gearing, said screwshaft carrying a nut whichis caused to move forwardly thereon -b y'the rotation ofsaidshaft with respect" f to; the projectile; said nutfcarrying a mateg-rial'capableof producing-s arks, ignitible by friction and arranged to, e scratched by asstrikerwheel. Said striker wheel is keyed upon a shaft extending parallel with said screw shaft in said casing and arranged T'to berotated by a, pneumatic vane at the forward .end thereof; said striker wheel beng mounted infa carriage which, when ad- 'usted, is held in such position, longitudinallywith respect tothe projectile and'said screw shaft, asnto predetermine the point at which said sparking material shall be -;scratched and, consequently, the time of ex- ."plosion. Saidcarriage has a serrated face complementary to a serrated face of a tim mgijscaleplate inv said casing, and clamping means are-provided for holding said cari'ag'eonsa1d scale plate in any pos1t1on throughoutits rangeof adjustment so that aid carriage may be longitudinally adusted with respect to said casing, and said 1 screw'T shaft, the shortest variation in its "position beinggthe extent of one of said serrations. However, said scale plate is pro: fvided' with micrometer adjusting means for "precisely adjusting it longitudinally in said casing,'fractional parts of the extent of one Specification of Letters Patent.

rRoJEorILE.

; Application filed illtlQarch 27, 1918, Serial No. 224,928. Renewed March 5, 1919. Serial No. 280,862. I

of saidserrations; such adjusting means being graduated to one hundredths of a serration. v

My invention includes, as an adjunct to the mechanical time fuse mechanism above contemplated, a percussion fuse mechanism, arranged to operate only when the projectile encounters an obstacle, and including a plunger cartridge containing an element of pyrographic alloy, or other igniting material, mounted to slide longitudinally in said casing upon a support having means to'scratch and ignite it. Conveniently, such support is a rod having a surface-which is file cut or otherwise roughened, and the cartridge includes a priming charge of explosive; so that the latter may be ignited by the sparks produced by the longitudinal movement of the igniting material upon said rod, and thus effect the desired explosionof the projectile.

Although I prefer to employ what is termed a pyrographic or pyrophoric alloy, for instance a composition of 65 per cent. cerium earth metals and percent. iron, as the igniting material; I do not desire to limit all of my claims to such material. However, the adaptation'of'my present invention to the use of a pyrographic alloy is of great importance in the present state of war not only because of the constant danger of accidental ignition of all fulminating materials ordinarily employed, but because they require a long time for their proper preparation for use, as, after ordinary fulminating devices are mechanically completed, they must be subjected to a prolonged baking process to insure their proper operation; whereas, when my improved device is completed mechanically, it is ready for instant use. i

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement of such a friction, time, and percussion fuse hereinafter more definitely specified,

In the drawings: Figure I is a front end elevation of a structure conveniently embodying my invention, and including a moisture proof cap which is employed merely to prevent damage to such structure during its storage or transportation but which is removable and is removed before the projectile is fired.

Fig. II is a side elevation of said struc ture. j n Fig. III is a front end elevation of said 31, as shown in Fig. IV. Each of said graduations conveniently represents the lon- 'gitudinal traverse ofthe nut 14, consequent 'upon' one relative rotation of the screw shaft "9; whereby the device may be adjustably set -tOefiect the desired explosion of the projeceons of'the latter. 1 The construction and arrangement above described are such that when the sparking elements 16 are struck by said wheel '20, which 'isbeing constantly rotated during the traverse of the projectile, the explosive ma te'rial in the pocket 17 and chamber 19 is discharged soas to ignite the firing train 47, opposed thereto-as 'ShOWn in Fig. X. Said firing train'conveniently includes a strip of explosive material upona sheet metal plate 48-having a flap 49 which is normally closed upon'it' as shown in Figs. VIII and XIV, and may be sealed with wax, in its closed extending from said flap 49 through the hole 51 in said frame 31 and having a ball handle 52 at its'outer end, as shown in Figs. IV and .V'XI'V; whereby the outer flap cover 49 of said firingtrain formsa safety cover normally secluding the explosive material 47 on said plate'48 and preventing communication be- 'tween-xsaid igniting device and said firing trainand between said firing train and the explosive charge, but which may be opened to'the position shown in Fig. X when it is desired to discharge the projectile. I find it convenient to prevent accidental displacement of said firing train plate 48 by providing itwith opposite end flanges 55 and 56 as i shown in Fig. XIV. Said flange 55 extends between "said-body 5 and the cap 6, in engagement withone of said screws 8, and said flange-56 extends between body 5 and cap 7 r in engagement with one of said screws 8.

1g Said firing train strip 47 may be conveniently formed-by coating said plate 48 with .a lmixture of gun powder, shellac and alco :ho1,* an'd I preferto make said plate 48 of lead which is pressed in a die so as to form a seriesof staggered ribs 58 thereon, as indif'icated in FigXIV, so as to support said 7 3 stripx47 more securely than if it were applied I to asmooth'surface. i

-,;As-an adjunct to the friction, time fuse mechanism above described; I prefer to pro- V vide said casing ;1 with percussion fuse 7 'mechanism comprising the cylindrical car- Tf trid'ge 60,-shown'in Fig. VII, including an outer casing of sheet metal containing rings 61of'sparkin material with alternate sleeves 63 of exploslve material. Said plunger is ,mounted upon the rod 65 which is held at j itsopposite ends in said caps 6 and 7, and has it's forward portions 66 file cut or knurled [to scratch said sparking material 61 when the-plunger is thrown forward by the im- -65 pact of the projectile, and thus explode said tileafter a predetermined number of revoluposition, but is provided with the chain 50,

sleeves 63. However, in order to prevent accidental forward movement of said plunger 60; I find it convenient to provide it with an.

annular groove at its rear end, primarily engaging projections 68 on a disk which is seated in the recess 69 insaid head 7, as shown in Fig. VII. It is to be-understood that when said projectile 2isfire'd, the initial stress is such as to throw said plunger 60 rearwardly to break its connection with said disk 68; so that, thereafter, it is free'to slide forward upon said rod'65 when the projectile strikes some other object.

In order that the fuse'mechanism. above described may be efiective to explode the main charge of the projectile 2; I provide the cap -7 with the priming charge 70 of explosive in the shell 71' which'is tightly fitted inthe recess 72 and has the two passageways 7 3 and 74 through which said charge 70 may be ignited respectively bythe flash from said time'fuse firing train oriby the flash from said percussion fuse plunger .60. That is to say; the time fuse mechanism above described may be set to effect the explosion of the projectile after a predetermined number of revolutions ofthe latter, and consequently at a predetermined distance from the gun by which the projectile is fired; but, said fuse mechanism includes percussive means to vef-- feet the explosion of the projectile if it encounters an object before it has traversedthe distance for which the timefuse'mechanism has been set. 1.

Although said nut 14 can only be thrust forwardly into firing position by rotation of the screw shaft 9; I prefer to seal it in its initial position shown in Figs. V and VII,

by a capsule of paper or other frangible material 75, having its rearedge engaged between said body 5 and cap 7.- However, upon rotation of said screw shaft, said capsuleis broken by the consequent forward movement of said nut 14;? leaving the ruptured capsule in the position shown.

The form of my invention shown in Figs. XI and XII is similar'to that above described, but includes worm gearing in lieu of said spur gears 10 and 11, in order to afford a longer range ofaadjustment of the time fuse mechanism. In said figures; the vane 76 is carried by the shaft 77 having the worm 78 engaging the worm gear 79 on the shaft 81 having the worm 82 engaging the worm gear 83 on the screw shaft 84, which otherwise is constructed and arranged like the screw shaft 9 so that relative rotation of said vane 75 causes much slower rotation of the screw shaft 84 than is effected by the spur gearing aforesaid.

I also prefer to protect the timing mechanism above described by a cylindrical, tubular shield 86, fitted to turn upon said body 5 and having the opening 87, which may be turned to expose the timing mechof said rod, including an outer metallic shell inclosing an element of pyrographic alloy, r and an explosive element arranged tobe "If ignited vby sparks from such alloy; and imeans in said casing normally detaining said cartridge upon the smooth portion of said rod, including a frangible projection in said casingengaging the shell of said cartridge; and means whereby said cartridge is 319' in communicationwith said priming charge andiadapted toexplode it. I

r-inga body portion, having a recess; caps Erespectively at the front and rear of said body;,'a tubular, shield encircling said body, betweensaid caps, havingan opening adapt ed toregisterwith saidrecess, but rotatable 201 saidibody to clo'se said recess;time fuse f ":mechanism in said casing including two oshafts parallel with the axis of the projectile, having means at the front end therefofwhereby they may be pneumatically ro- 1 ;tated;-f one ofw said shafts being screw threaded; a nut .on said screw shaft; means y preventing the rotation of said nut; an eleflment ofpyrographic alloy carried by said nut; a rotary strikerwheel carried by'said 7 other shaft, in position to scratch said alloy when the latter is presented thereto by the I traverse of said nut on said screw shaft; iwherebysparks are produced by the engage- ,lmentof said wheel and alloy; a firing train .larjran ea to be ignitedby such sparks, ing a holder carrying a strip of combusfifi tible material 7 upon its facetoward said wheel; a priming charge of explosive at the rear-Qend of said firing train, arranged to :v-explode theprojectile; means whereby the position of said wheel may bevariably ad- ,mounted a in said body, parallel with said shafts, and having a slot, a series of serrati ons, ,and means: for adjusting said frame igloiigitudinally. in said casing, including a '45 fscrew at one. end thereof; a carriage for said a wheel mounted to slide axially upon its shaft, having serrations complementary to the serrations on said frame, and a screw threaded shank extending through said slot, scanda nut, whereby said carriage may be ,clain'pled indifferent positions of adjustment ;on. said frame, 'to variably determinethe ,pointfin the traverse of said nut where it I {shall be engaged by said wheel percussion k'gi 'fuse ihechanism including a rod, parallel .with-theaxi's of'the projectile, having one portion smooth andanother' portion roughened; a cartridgermounted' on the smooth f portion of said rod, but adapted to slide GU- upon thorough portion of said rod, includ- I 2.;In a projectile,,a'fuse casing compristhe traverse'of said nut where fj isted, including a timing scale frame,

ing an element of pyrographic alloy, and an a adapted to explode it.

3. In a projectile, a fuse casing; time fuse mechanism in said casing including two shafts, parallel with the axis of the projectile, having means whereby they may be automatically rotated; one of said shafts being screw threaded; a nut on said screw shaft; means preventing the rotationof said nut; an element of pyrographic alloy carried by said nut; a rotary striker wheel carried by said other shaft, in position to scratch said alloywhen the latter is pre sented thereto by the traverse of said nut on said screw shaft; whereby sparks are produced by the engagement of said wheel and allow; a firing train arranged to be ignited by such sparks; a priming charge of explosive in operative rotation to said firing train, arranged to explode the projectile; means whereby the position of said timing scale frame, mounted in said body, parallel with said shafts, and means for adjusting said frame longitudinally in i said whereby said carnage may be clamped in different positions of adjustment on said frame, to variably determine the point in it shall be engaged bysaid wheel. 7

l. In a projectile, a fuse casing; time fuse mechanism in said casing including two shafts, parallel with the axis of the projectile, having means whereby they may be automatically rotated; one of said shafts being screw} threaded; a nut on said'screw shaft; means preventing the rotation of said nut; an element of igniting material carried by said nut; a rotary striker wheel carried by said other shaft, in position. to scratch said igniting material when the latter is presented thereto by the traverse of said nut on said screw shaft; whereby a flash is produced by the engagement of said wheel with said igniting material; a firing train arranged to be ignited by such flash,

including a trough shaped metal holder, ex-

tending parallel with said shafts'and carrying combustible material upon its face toward said wheel; a movable cover for said train; means to-inove said cover; a priming charge of explosive in communication with said firing train when said cover is removed, arranged to explode the projectile; and means whereby said wheel may beheld in variable predetermined longitudinal position on its shaft.

' 5. In a projectile, a fuse casing comprising a body portion, having a recess; caps respectively at the front-and rear of said body; a tubular, shield encircling said body, be-

.wheel may be variably adjusted including a tween: said caps, having an opening adapted said tile, having" means' 'at the front end 'tl'ierebf whereby they may be, pneumatically rotated; one of said shafts being screw threaded; a

nut on said screw shaft; means preventing the rotation of said nut; an element of pyrographicvalloy carried bysaidnut; a rotary s'tiiker Wheel carried saidothershaft,

in pdsi'tion to scratch said alley when the latter is'pTese'nted' thei 'eto by the traverse Ofsaidnn'tbn' saidscreit'r shaft; W 'e'r'eby sparks are produced by the engagementof 7 said Wheel and alley; 'a' firing train arranged m seffations: complementary to the tions on said name; and sqew threaded shank extending through said: slot, andz nut, whereby said carriageway bjcla nped in ,difier'ent positions-0f adjnstment 611} said frame,- to variably de terminethe poinuinthe I gage'd by saidwheel.- s 7 i 6. Ina projectile, a casing} percfissien' fuse iii-said easingi'ficmdinga '1 be ignited leysueh sparks, including a i "holder arr'yihg. a strip (if-combustible ma;- terial' iip'o'n its fade toward said heel; a. priming charge .of eXPIb'SiVe attherea'l end of said firin "tram, affah'gedto explode the rojectile; means whereby the pe'sitionef said Wheel may be 'Variably ac ljus'tecl 1n'- eluding" a timing-stal frame; mounted said bod-y parallel with said shafts, and

having a; sl0t aseries pf serratiens and meansfor ad usting sald' frame longitudinally in said casing", including-a seiew at one endthereofa carriage" for saidwheey mounted tofsl ideaxial-ly ul'ibn'its'shaffih itraverse of said nut wherit shal i be eri-Q r0d',-pa ral1e1 with the axis of the-projectile, ha'v'in'g one i tion smb'qth and another' p01;-

tio'n" roughened; 'a cartridge m'eiinted' on the" smooth pbitiofiof said red, but adapted'tof slide u o the'iougli portiohbf saidfod, in-

eluding an outer metauic'she11' inc1 si g an element of pyrogmphiealloy, and an ex losive element arranged tdbe ignited by sparks from su'ch'al-loy; means said easihg lnmf= means pfeventiflig the retatibn bf said lilitgf bienli qa o .w th: a i mam ii im ns cha e 'qx lqs lv n said? ha n;- ibglj; and afiring train n cobpei'atlve' relasl i j a e Stile, 'liavi-ng meanswhereby they may-"be an earti idge fis' fmf communication? with said I pr iidling charge and adapted t0 explode itlf anelelniit e f py'r ggfa"phiealloy ear-tied by 7 said n'ut; a rotary strikeiwheel earnedb'j' whereby. parks are firodilced'bi h. aise arfi f y sa d mally detaining said c aitridge updhf- -the ffangible pro is communication: with {said cliarge andadapted to explode it.

ing one portion smpoth and othei' pbi't-idn a r 'h enis id i'g i ii iia 7;.I1'1'aprQ eCt1le,a easinm'pereiissibn-fiise' i 1 mechanism in said casing "incl'iidingj a "red, parallel with, the axis of the piojet-ile; have train; aiidmea etal; Shiel h 'r lhnai id be mi t rp ha n a mi li i ead p I V r'qce si tn a ab an ex los'lveelementarranged w be igfiited bod toclsesaid-reeess afidadjdtabl'i nim'FI-so OII IS d a a a fh thei 34x18 101 f 'priiriing'cliaige; and means whereby said 1 as shafts, parallel thaxisjef fp r'oj c l it 'tile having ni'ean's'wlierebythey maybe flll V tomatieallj rotated; One; Of said shafts being i fuse mechanism in said casing, accessible ,when' the opening in said shield is in registry with said recess.

12. Ina projectile, a fuse casing; and time fuse mechanism in said casing including a screw shaft in coaxial relation with said casing, a driving shaft having its axis of frotation parallel with said screw shaft, having a vane whereby it may be pneumatically T1 rotated, worm gearing connecting said JOSEPH A. WALSH.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR E. PAIGE, FRANK E. PAIGE.

5 7 Copies of'this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. 0. 

